Who was the woman in the beginning of 12 Years a Slave?

1830–after 1863) was an African-American enslaved woman. Solomon Northup wrote about her in his book Twelve Years a Slave, which is the source for most of the information known about her….

What is happening at the beginning of 12 Years a Slave?

At the beginning of 12 Years a Slave, the kidnapped freeman Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) has a painful sexual encounter with an unnamed female slave in which she uses his hand to bring herself to orgasm before turning away in tears.

What is the soap scene in 12 Years a Slave?

The scene: Slave Patsey returns after leaving the plantation to get some soap. Plantation owner Epps wants her whipped as punishment but can’t do it himself, so he orders Solomon to do it instead. The scene is presented as a continuous shot lasting nearly five minutes.

What crops magnified enslaved labor?

Slave owners made fortunes off of the African American slaves’ labor, and this was the basis of southern society and culture. Cotton became the dominant crop in the South as it expanded to include Delaware, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia as well as the Old Southwest.

How much cotton did the average slaves pick per day?

Historians agree that a seasoned plantation slave picked around 125 to 150 pounds of cotton per day. The length of the harvest season depended on the size of the plantation, with some large plantations having seasons that stretched from late summer to the early spring.

Is 12 years a slave a scene-by-scene breakdown?

* A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story. This week: 12 Years a Slave. You may download a PDF of the script here. Screenplay by John Ridley based on a “Twelve Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup.

What is a scene-by-scene breakdown?

* A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story. This week: 12 Years a Slave. You may download a PDF of the script here.

What happens at the slave cemetery A148?

At the slave’s cemetery. Solomon, Bob and Henry dig a hole and put the body inside. A148. At the slave cemetery a female singer begins a solo. The slaves on occasion join in, elated. 148. Solomon retrieves the package from its hiding place.

When does Epps wake the slaves in the slave shack?

Slave shack. October 1844. Epps awakes the slaves, whip in hand. No dancing this time. He’s here for Patsey. 108 (page 75).